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The  Social  Center, 
elfare  and  Community 
Work 


of  the  Tri-Cities 

La  Salle-Peru-Oglesby 
Illinois 


1 Introduction 

2 The  Social  Center  and  Recreation 
Work  of  the  Township  High  School 

3 Hegeler  Park  and  Washington  Park 

4 The  Tri-City  Hygienic  Institute 

5 The  Tri-City  Associated  Charities 

6 The  Women’s  Clubs,  Bureaus,  and 
Civic  Leagues 

7 The  Industrial  Schools 

8 The'Child  Welfare  Leagues 

9 Miscellaneous 


# 


Published  by  the 

La  Salle-Peru  Township  High  School 
La  Salle,  Illinois 
1915 


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and  Domestic  Science  building  and  the  Boiler  House 


V 

Introduction 


So  much  attention  has  been  drawn  to  the  recently  inaugurated  Social 
Center  work  of  the  La  Salle-Peru  Township  High  School  that  the  Board 
of  Education  of  this  institution  has  authorized  the  publication  of  a pam- 
phlet describing  its  activities.  But  since  the  three  municipalities  of 
La  Salle,  Peru,  and  Oglesby,  which  constitute  this  township,  have  in  the 
last  two  or  three  years  shown  a remarkable  increase  of  interest  in  com- 
munity and  welfare  work  and  have  inaugurated  movements  which  may 
appear  unusual  for  cities  of  so  small  a size,  it  was  deemed  best  to  incor- 
porate in  this  pamphlet  concise  but  adequate  descriptions  of  all  the 
welfare  and  community  enterprises  now  operating  in  this  district. 

Educators,  social  workers,  and  students  of  civic  problems  will  be  main- 
ly interested  in  the  methods  of  attack  and  development  here  outlined,  in 
the  methods  of  operation  tentatively  worked  out,  and  in  the  mechan- 
ism of  financial  support  by  which  the  enterprises  described  are  sus- 
tained. The  institutions  in  question  have  in  some  cases  been  the 
joint  outcome  of  private  philanthropy  and  democratic  initiative,  and  in 
other  cases  the  product  of  purely  cooperative  voluntary  effort  on  the 
part  of  an  awakened  public.  For  example,  it  will  be  of  interest  to  learn, 
in  the  case  of  the  Social  Center  and  public  Athletic  Grounds  of  the  Town- 
ship High  School,  that  while  the  funds  for  building  and  equipment  were 
furnished  by  a private  donor,  yet  the  upkeep  by  the  people  through  taxes 
of  the  plants  so  donated  requires  the  annual  expenditure  of  a sum  equal 
to  the  interest  on  a fund  as  large  as,  or  larger  than,  the  original  dona- 
tion. It  will  thus  be  evident  that  the  public  also  has  contributed  a per- 
manent endowment  of  considerable  size  to  the  cause  of  social  service. 

The  method  of  operating  and  financing  the  social  center  work  of  the 
Township  High  School  is  perhaps  peculiar  to  the  State  of  Illinois,  which 
presents  several  instances,  one  or  two  on  a large  scale,  of  the  same 
method.  Township  high  schools  were  originally  organized  for  purely 
educational  purposes  in  the  narrower  sense,  but  by  a flexible  interpre- 
tation of  the  term  “ educational,’ ’ the  activities  of  these  institutions  have 
been  gradually  extended  to  embrace  recreational,  civic,  and  community 
activities  of  all  sorts,  while  the  greater  facilities  for  taxation  possessed 
by  the  township  organization  have  enabled  the  people  to  endure  more 
equably  the  strain  of  the  increased  but  distributed  expenditure. 

Unique,  too,  and  deserving  of  the  attention  of  students  will  be  found 
the  activities  and  methods  of  support  of  the  Tri-City  Hygienic  Institute 
and  the  Tri-City  Associated  Charities,  the  first  of  which  is  an  endowment 
acting  through  municipal  cooperation,  and  the  second  an  organization 
supported  by  the  voluntary  contributions  of  many  private  citizens,  with 
the  supplement  of  an  income  derived  from  the  admission-receipts  to  one 
of  the  most  attractive  scenic  resorts  of  the  middle  west. 


A municipal  playground,  Hegeler  Park,  with  many  possibilities  of 
development,  likewise  a gift  and  affiliated  with  the  Township  High 
School,  is  also  deserving  of  attention  for  the  manner  of  its  growth. 
Numerous  other  voluntary  welfare  organizations  are  catalogued.  And 
through  them  all  plays,  with  vivifying  influence,  the  generous  and  fos- 
tering activity  of  the  Business  Men’s,  the  Manufacturers’,  and  the  Com- 
mercial Associations  of  the  three  towns,  with  their  Women’s  Bureaus, 
Industrial  Leagues,  etc.,  all  expressions  of  a new  and  fruitful  renaissance 
of  civic  interest  in  a population  not  long  since  dormant  and  obtuse  to  the 
community’s  social  needs. 

On  the  score  of  administration  and  support,  the  points  we  have  just 
made  appear  to  be  most  deserving  of  attention.  Details  of  operation 
will  be  found  in  the  text. 

The  immediate  beneficent  results  of  the  welfare-activities  of  the  in- 
stitutions described  in  this  pamphlet  will  be  apparent  from  the  most 
superficial  reading.  These  spring  even  to  the  untutored  eye.  But  it 
may  not  be  amiss  here  to  indicate  some  of  the  deeper  and  more  ulterior 
effects  that  may  be  anticipated  from  their  unseen  operation. 

The  education  of  a community  proceeds  not  only  through  the  direct 
activities  of  institutions  formally  devoted  to  this  end,  but  also  by  the 
more  subtle  process  of  sociological  diffusion.  The  ideas  disseminated 
by  a given  institution  affect  first  only  the  small  group  of  individuals 
immediately  attacked.  At  the  start  the  effects  appear  to  be  feeble  and 
inconspicuous.  But  the  individuals  affected,  or  as  we  may  say,  to  use  a 
medical  simile,  infected , act  as  carriers  of  these  ideas  and  transmit  by  a 
species  of  intellectual  and  spiritual  contagion  the  beneficent  contamin- 
ation they  have  received  to  all  their  associates.  They  act  as  foci  for  the 
spread  of  the  new  ideas,  whether  in  education,  citizenship,  hygiene,  rec- 
reation, or  what  not,  and  unconsciously  propagate  with  hundred-fold 
efficiency  the  influences  we  fancied  originally  moulded  the  conduct  of 
only  a few.  There  is  a contagion  of  excellence  as  well  as  a contamina- 
tion of  evil,  and  the  laws  of  sociological  imitation,  which:  cause  individ- 
uals to  mimic  one  another  in  their  thought  and  conduct,  care  for  it  that 
the  good  we  implant  with  our  imperfect  educational  machinery  in  a few 
is  transmitted  with  automatic  certainty  to  increasingly  larger  groups. 
The  little  pebble  that  we  cast  on  the  limitless  expanse  of  the  great  social 
water  makes  a slight  impact,  but  its  effect  is  propagated  by  known  sociolo- 
gical laws  in  increasingly  wider  and  wider  circles  to  the  farthermost 
bounds.  This  is  the  saving  thought  of  all  educational  and  welfare  activ- 
ity. Without  it  we  should  sink  into  irrevocable  pessimism.  The  new 
welfare-institutions  of  this  community,  powerful  and  splendid  as  they 
are  for  so  small  a group  of  people,  would  otherwise  be  impotent,  and  the 
scratches  that  even  with  them  we  feebly  make  on  the  hardened  surface 
of  the  great  body  politic  would  without  its  aid  never  sink  to  the  hidden 
and  sullen  depths.  In  this  thought  the  rankest  disaffection  may  swallow 
solace,  and  the  gloomiest  pessimism  glimpse  the  light. 

It  could  easily  be  estimated  that  four  such  plants  as  the  present  High 
School  Social  Center  would  be  requisite  to  meet  fully  the  recreational 
and  community  needs  of  the  whole  population  of  this  Township.  But 
at  present  this  is  financially  and  politically  undreamable.  A similar 
estimate,  slightly  modified,  would  be  applicable  to  most  of  the  other 
institutions  herein  described.  The  extension  of  the  full  benefits  of  these 


institutions,  therefore,  to  all  the  people,  even  if  all  the  people  were  dis- 
posed in  will  and  mind  to  receive  them , must  ultimately  be  left  to  the 
slow  operation  of  the  laws  of  sociological  imitation  and  contact.  All 
are  called,  but  not  all  submit  to  be  chosen. 

Numerous  other  subtle  benefits  to  community  thought  and  action 
might  be  attributed  to  the  operation  of  these  agencies.  The  very  oppos- 
ition that  some  of  them  have  aroused  in  stagnant  and  reactionary  cir- 
cles, the  very  quarrels  and  brawls  that  some  of  their  activities  have 
evoked,  are  of  immense  educational  value,  and  have  unconsciously  il- 
lumined even  the  minds  of  their  opponents.  Broad-visioned  men  and 
women  will  see  in  these  superficial  ripples  only  the  operation  of  a power 
making  for  greater  enlightenment.  Petty  struggle  and  battle  are  the 
machinery  by  which  democracy  acquires  repose  for  its  ulterior  ends. 
The  machinery,  by  its  very  creaking,  finds  and  adjusts  itself. 

The  retroactive  effects,  further,  of  the  recreational  and  community 
work  of  the  High  School  Center,  through  its  immediate  benefits  to  chil- 
dren and  adults  not  belonging  to  the  school-group,  are  of  incalculable 
value  for  the  framing  of  a public  opinion  and  sentiment  favorable  to 
the  source  from  which  these  benefits  emanate.  Not  only  does  the  sense- 
satisfaction  imparted  by  these  activities  to  groups  of  individuals 
that  might  otherwise  be  disaffected  or  alienated  react  salutarily  in  the 
direction  indicated,  but  the  acquaintance  thus  unconsciously  acquired 
under  pleasant  associations  with  an  institution  of  higher  learning  auto- 
matically results  in  the  moulding  of  a sound  public  feeling  in  support 
and  approval  of  an  agency  that  incidentally  dispenses  these  benefits. 
And  so  Democracy  again  accomplishes,  by  reversion  upon  itself,  its 
purposes. 

Many  other  collateral  results  might  be  cited - as  evidence  of  the  wide- 
spread beneficence  of  the  activities  here  catalogued.  But  it  will  suffice  to 
indicate  the  principal  tendencies.  The  more  palpable  of  those  left  un- 
mentioned will  occur  to  the  most  casual  reader. 

The  pamphlet  itself  has  been  compiled  for  the  information  of  educa- 
tors and  workers  in  the  municipal  and  social  service  fields.  The  longer 
articles  are  signed  by  the  directors  of  the  several  institutes.  But  many 
unnamed,  in  years  long  past  and  in  many  places,  have  made  contribu- 
tions to  the  work  fully  equal  to  the  labor  of  those  who  appear  officially 
in  the  titles ; and  none  more  effectively  than  the  members  of  the  present 
Township  Board  of  Education,  who  have  given  years  of  quiet  and  un- 
requited labor  to  the  consummation  of  a task  before  which  even  the  hard- 
iest spirits  might  have  quailed.  All  successful  social  and  civic  work  is 
impersonal.  Individuals  are  its  mere  passing  agents.  The  real  author 
is  the  creative  heart  of  the  community,  inarticulate  and  seeking  no  re- 
ward of  honor. 

Thomas  J.  McCormack 

La  Salle,  Illinois,  October,  1915 


Personnel  and  Population 


Township  Board  of  Education 

George  A.  Wilson,  Sr.,  President  Thomas  F.  Noon 

G.  M.  Wyatt  Alexander  Lindsay 

J.  E.  Skelly  Thomas  N.  Haskins,  Secretary 


Officers 


Thomas  J.  McCormack 
Raymond  A.  Hoyer 
Catherine  Lourie 
George  Young 
Katherine  Williams  . 
Arthur  Janz 
Robert  Walker 


Principal 
Social  Center  Director 
Social  and  Club  Work  for  Women  and  Girls 
Assistant  for  Men’s  and  Boys’  Work 
Instructress  in  Swimming  and  Matron 
. Swimming  Pool  Attendant 
. Swimming  Pool  and  Locker  Attendant 


Population 


La  Salle  Township 18,500 

Pern  Township  9,500 


La  Salle  Township 18,500 

Peru  Township  9,500 


Some 

Nationalities  (Estimated) 

28,000 

Polish  . . . . 

6000  Italian  .... 

700 

Other  Slavic  races 

4000  Greeks  .... 

200 

La  Salle  Public  . 

School  Attendance 

1267  La  Salle  Parochial  . 

1258 

Peru  Public 

710  Peru  Parochial  . 

805 

Oglesby  Public  . 

966  Township  High  School 

399 

The  Social  Center  and  Recreation 
Work  of  the  Township  High  School 

Characterization  of  the  Work 

In  the  work  carried  on  by  the  Social  Center  Department  of  the  La 
Salle-Peru  Township  High  School,  the  attempt  is  made  to  provide,  for  a 
township  of  some  28,000  people,  healthful  and  rational  recreation  of  all 
sorts  through  the  wider  use  of  a large  and  well-equipped  high  school 
plant.  A real  Community  Center  for  all  the  people  is  the  ideal  set. 

The  term  Social  Center,  however,  scarcely  covers  the  entire  scope  of 
the  activities  undertaken  by  the  department.  The  work  to  date  has,  for 
reasons  that  will  be  detailed  below,  partaken  rather  of  the  nature  of 
that  of  a Recreation  Center.  But  community-work  of  the  kind  repre- 
sented by  educational  conventions,  Farmers’  Short  Courses,  scientific 
and  literary  lectures,  concerts,  dramatic  performances,  neighborhood 
clubs,  etc.,  have  not  been  neglected,  as  the  sequel  will  show.  Further- 
more, the  extension-work  of  the  department  must  be  included  among 
the  activities  of  the  Social  Center  plant,  which  is  so  situated  as  not  to  be 
easily  accessible  to  the  more  distant  members  of  the  community,  and 
which  requires,  therefore,  different  members  of  the  Social  Center  staff 
to  do  part  of  its  work,  after  the  extension-method,  at  points  some  dis- 
tance from  the  high  school. 

Since  its  inception  in  March,  1914,  the  work  has  been  allowed  to  grow 
naturally  and  spontaneously  along  lines  best  suited  to  local  conditions 
and  best  according  with  local  sentiment,  but  under  the  watchful  guid- 
ance and  assistance  of  a trained  staff,  and  of  a special  committee  of  the 
Board  of  Education  and  the  Principal  of  the  school.  Thus  the  work 
may  appear  unique  and  unusual  in  many  respects  and  unlike  that  of 
other  similar  experiments.  Its  characterization,  therefore,  may  be  of 
assistance  to  others  engaged  in  this  field. 

From  the  start  the  aim  has  been  first  and  foremost  to  interest  the  chil- 
dren and  the  young  people  of  the  township,  that  is,  to  lay  especial  em- 
phasis upon  adolescent  and  juvenile  activities,  and  only  secondarily  on 
those  of  adults.  As  a matter  of  fact,  however,  the  older  folks  have  in 
no  wise  suffered  from  a lack  of  appropriate  activities,  although  consid- 
erably less  supervision  and  leadership  have  been  afforded  them. 

One  factor  that  has  made  the  work  easier  than  it  might  'other- 
wise have  been  is  the  generous  cooperation  of  the  merchants  and  lousiness 
men  of  the  Township.  Not  once  when  requested  has  assistance  been  re- 
fused, and  while  the  financial  help  so  offered  has  materially  aided  the 
progress  of  the  work,  the  moral  support  implied  has  been  unquestionably 
greater.  The  backing  given  by  the  clergy  of  all  denominations  and  by 
the  public  school  people  also  has  been  very  helpful. 


Personal  services  of  a voluntary  nature  likewise  have  been  given  very 
unselfishly  by  local  people  qualified  to  direct  some  activity.  Volunteers 
aided  in  wrestling,  in  gymnasium  and  swimming  for  both  men  and 
women,  in  game-room  work,  picnics,  baseball,  track,  and  kite-making  for 
the  boys  and  girls,  and  in  various  clubs  and  non-athletic  organizations. 
This  volunteer  assistance  has  been  greatly  instrumental  in  forwarding 
the  work  of  the  Center  and  from  that  standpoint  invaluable ; but  prob- 
ably the  main  advantage  accruing  from  it  has  been  the  added  public  in- 
terest. Every  volunteer  leader  is  forthwith  a ‘ ‘ booster,  7 7 and  every 
‘ ‘ boost 7 7 helps. 

The  Proposition 

In  October,  1912,  a proposition  was  submitted  to  the  Township  Board 
of  Education  by  the  Honorable  F.  W.  Matthiessen  of  La  Salle,  in  which 
he  offered  as  a gift  certain  real  estate  and  $75,000  for  a Recreation 
Building  to  be  run  in  connection  with  the  Township  High  School  and  to 
serve  as  a community  center.  The  Township  Board  was  to  maintain  the 
work.  The  donor  also  stipulated  that  the  township  was  to  vote  a bond 
issue  of  $25,000  (which  amount  was  to  be  used  for  improvements  much 
needed  in  the  High  School),  and  by  a public  election  to  declare  its 
willingness  to  support  the  Center. 

The  Board  immediately  took  action  and  the  election  resulted  in  the 
almost  unanimous  acceptance  of  the  proposition.  The  plans  provided  for 
a Recreation  Building  ; for  many  improvements  in  the  main  building, 
including  a large  auditorium,  a new  biology  laboratory,  new  offices  for 
the  principal;  for  a new  heating  system  in  a separate  building  directly 
back  of  the  Manual  Training  Building ; for  the  rewiring  of  the  entire 
plant,  etc. 

The  Recreation  Building 

The  principal  feature  of  the  Recreation  Building  is  the  gymnasium, 
which  is  53x106  feet,  and  contains  a playing  space  for  basket-ball  70x35 
feet.  About  twelve  feet  above  the  floor  is  the  balcony,  which  is  used 
both  for  spectators  and  for  a running  track.  No  part  of  the  basket-ball 
floor  is  underneath  the  gallery.  The  gymnasium  equipment  is  quite 
complete,  having  cost  some  $3,000. 

On  the  first  floor  is  a room  26x50  feet,  which,  at  some  later  date,  will 
be  used  as  a library,  but  which  at  the  present  time  is  utilized  for  many 
purposes,  such  as  wrestling,  a boys7  game-room,  rest-room  and  serving 
room  at  dances.  The  history-room  is  also  on  this  floor.  On  the  second 
floor  are  the  music  and  the  art  rooms.  These  three  rooms  are  also  used 
for  most  of  the  dramatic,  musical  and  social  organizations,  meeting  in 
the  building  after  school  hours. 

Downstairs  is  the  swimming  pool,  which  is  60x25  feet.  Along  the 
east  side  are  eight  dressing  booths  and  eight  showers.  South  of  the 
pool  are  seventy  steel  lockers  arranged  to  form  a hollow  square,  the  en- 
closed space  being  used  as  a dressing  room.  Nearby  is  the  locker-cage, 
which  contains  about  six  hundred  fibre  locker-boxes  arranged  in  rows 
and  numbered.  This  is  known  as  the  Kansas  City  system,  which  pro- 
vides a locker-box  for  every  person  using  the  gymnasium.  In  this  box 
is  kept  the  owner’s  athletic  clothing.  With  the  box  a key  to  a locker  is 
given,  and  after  the  person  is  finished,  he  returns  the  box  and  key  to 


Scenes  in  the  La  Salle-Peru-Oglesby  T.  H.  S.  Social  Center 


the  cage  where  they  are  kept  safely  under  lock.  This  system  saves  con- 
siderable locker  room. 

The  room  originally  intended  for  the  bowling  alley  is  16x86  feet,  and 
at  the  present  time  is  used  as  a drying  room  for  the  women’s  bathing 
suits.  It  is  intended  to  install  the  alleys  in  the  near  future.  The  elec- 
tric exhaust  fan  which  ventilates  the  entire  building  is  located  at  the 
end  of  the  bowling  alley  room.  Another  room  on  the  ground  floor, 
26x20,  is  used  as  a dressing  room  for  the  ’varsity  athletic  teams  of  the 
High  School.  This  room  contains  lockers  arranged  along  the  walls. 

Work  was  started  on  the  building  in  June,  1913,  and  the  changes  in 
the  main  building  were  completed  in  time  for  the  opening  of  school  in 
September  of  the  same  year,  with  the  exception  of  the  Auditorium,  which 
was  not  finished  till  several  months  later.  The  Recreation  Building  was 
practically  completed  in  February,  but  delay  in  the  installation  of  the 
gymnasium  apparatus  postponed  the  opening  until  March  23,  1914. 

The  High  School  Buildings 

The  High  School  Buildings  proper  need  but  little  comment.  They 
consist  of  a main  building  and  Domestic  Science  and  Manual  Arts  Build- 
ing, both  of  which  are  collaterally  used  for  Social  Center  activities.  The 
main  feature  is  the  auditorium,  located  on  the  ground  floor  of  the  main 
building  with  an  independent  entrance  to  the  street.  It  accommodates 
seven  hundred  persons  and  is  modeled  after  the  Little  Theatre  of  New 
York.  The  unusually  large  stage  contains  two  complete  sets  of  scenes 
and  a silk-velour  draw  curtain,  the  gifts  of  the  classes  of  1912  and  1913. 

The  Athletic  Field 

The  new  athletic  field  is  nearly  completed  at  present  writing.  It  in- 
cludes two  tennis  courts,  a five-lap  cinder  track,  baseball  diamond,  foot- 
ball gridiron,  jumping  and  vaulting  pits,  and  an  open  air  bathing  pool, 
100x50  ft.  Sufficient  space  is  also  available  for  a playground,  which 
will  probably  follow  next  year,  and  which  is  needed  to  bring  the  work 
to  its  maximum  efficiency.  This  entire  field  is  also  the  gift  of  Mr. 
Matthiessen  and  is  used  not  only  for  High  School  athletics  and  Social 
Center  events  but  for  field  and  track  sports  for  the  entire  township  as 
well. 

The  Work  Started 

The  first  work  attempted  was  that  of  organizing  gymnasium  classes 
among  the  High  School  students.  At  the  same  time  the  High  School 
track  squad  began  preliminary  indoor  practice  and  with  the  approach  of 
warm  weather  the  swimming  pool  was  opened  to  the  students.  Prac- 
tically the  entire  school  took  advantage  of  these  facilities  from  the  start. 
The  first  attempt  at  work  outside  the  school  was  made  in  April  when  a 
Saturday  morning  gymnasium  class  was  organized  for  the  boys  of  the 
neighborhood,  whose  demands  for  admittance  had  become  very  insistent. 

The  Recreation  Building  was  formally  opened  on  Patrons’  Night, 
May  21,  1914,  by  Governor  Dunne,  at  which  time  the  general  public  was 
given  the  first  opportunity  to  inspect  the  Center. 

During  the  summer  of  1914  the  work  was  reorganized,  whereby  gym- 
nasium and  swimming  privileges  were  offered  to  both  children  and 
adults.  Some  outdoor  work  was  also  attempted,  which  culminated  in  a 


Game  of  the  Grade  and  Parochial  Indoor  Baseball  League  La  Salle-Peru- Oglesby  T.  H.  S.  Social  Center 


big  outing  for  the  boys  who  attended  the  Center  and  was  attended  by 
more  than  three  hundred  boys.  The  expense  of  the  picnic  was  borne  by 
the  merchants  and  business  men  of  the  three  towns,  who  displayed  great 
willingness  to  assist  not  only  financially  but  also  by  lending  automobiles 
for  transporting  the  boys  to  and  from  the  grounds  and  by  personal  ser- 
vice at  the  picnic.  Lunch  was  prepared  by  a committee  from  the  La 
Salle  Women’s  Bureau,  assisted  by  a committee  of  ladies  from  the 
Women’s  Clubs  of  Peru  and  Oglesby.  A picnic  on  a larger  scale  — a 
community  affair  for  all  if  possible  — is  the  plan  for  the  future.  On 
account  of  the  warm  weather  no  attempt  was  made  to  organize  non- 
athletic  activities. 

With  the  reopening  of  school  in  September,  1914,  the  work  was  again 
reorganized  on  a more  extensive  footing.  With  the  work  of  the  first  five 
months  as  a basis,  many  additional  activities  were  undertaken.  The 
High  School  activities  remained  much  the  same  as  they  had  been,  but 
much  additional  work  was  started  in  the  gymnasium  with  the  children 
of  the  grade  and  parochial  schools  during  the  late  afternoons  and  on 
Saturdays.  Evening  classes  in  swimming  and  gymnasium  were  con- 
tinued for  men  and  women,  the  latter  evincing  greater  enthusiasm  than 
the  men  in  these  branches.  The  ‘‘safety-first”  results  to  the  com- 
munity in  this  field  alone  have  been  incalculable.  Nearly  all  the  girls  in 
the  High  School  now  swim,  and  scores  of  women  adults  have  learned  the 
rudiments  of  this  invaluable  adjunct  to  self-preservation. 

The  Township’s  National  Game 

A significant  feature  of  the  autumn  work  of  1914  was  the  Indoor 
Baseball  League.  This  organization  consisted  of  eight  teams  represent- 
ing widely  diversified  interests,  the  players  being  adult  men  in  many 
instances.  The  teams  were:  The  Western  Clock  Co.,  The  Rexall  Drug 
Store,  The  Knights  of  Columbus,  the  Just  We  Social  Club,  the  Y.  M.  A. 
Club,  the  High  School  Alumni,  the  Odd  Fellows,  and  the  Oglesby  Tigers 
Baseball  Club.  Two  nights  a week  were  devoted  to  the  league  with  two 
games  each  evening.  Good,  clean,  wholesome  sport  was  provided,  not 
only  for  those  participating  but  also  for  the  spectators  who  turned  out 
in  goodly  numbers  for  the  majority  of  the  games.  The  season  lasted 
till  the  end  of  January  and  the  race  proved  very  exciting  up  to  the  end. 
The  attempt  was  made  for  the  first  time  with  this  league  not  only  to 
have  a self-supporting  organization,  but  also  to  obtain  an  income  there- 
from for  the  Center.  Accordingly,  an  admission  fee  of  ten  cents  was 
charged,  the  League  securing  fifty  per  cent  of  the  proceeds  and  the  Cen- 
ter the  balance.  A statement  of  this  fund  is  rendered  periodically  to  the 
Board  of  Education. 

Interest  in  indoor  baseball  grew  apace  as  the  league  season  progressed. 
Teams  of  all  kinds  and  varieties  were  organized  and  the  evenings  al- 
lotted for  special  games  were  reserved  a month  in  advance.  On  many 
evenings  three  games  were  played,  two  an  evening  being  the  rule.  The 
C.  B.  & Q.  Trainmen  and  Office  Force,  the  I.  C.  Railroad,  Union  Mine, 
La  Salle  Mine,  Peru  Brewery,  Westclox  Departments,  Oglesby  Odd  Fel- 
lows, Fat  Men,  Thin  Men,  numerous  all-star  aggregations  and  the  La 
Salle  Night  School  were  among  the  teams  that  availed  themselves  of  the 
opportunity  of  using  the  building.  And  although  the  playing  of  these 
irregular  teams  was  not  always  of  the  highest  calibre,  yet  considerable 


enthusiasm  and  interest  were  aroused,  and  a crowd  of  spectators  was 
seldom  lacking. 

A walk  through  the  gallery  at  any  of  the  games  proved  interesting  to 
the  casual  observer  and  significant  to  the  social  student.  Entire  fam- 
ilies were  very  much  in  evidence  — in  fact  space  had  to  be  provided  in 
the  vestibule  for  baby  carriages.  All  kinds  and  conditions  of  mankind 
were  present  and  certainly  a third  of  the  spectators  were  women,  who 
were  on  hand  to  “root”  for  their  favorites.  Indoor  baseball  is  indeed 
the  “National”  game  of  the  township. 

Basketball 

Following  the  indoor  baseball  season,  basketball  was  given  a prom- 
inent place  on  the  schedule.  Besides  the  inter-class  league  games  for 
both  the  boys  and  the  girls  of  the  Township  High  School  and  the  games 
played  by  the  school  ’Varsity  team,  an  Inter-church  League  was  or- 
ganized. This  league  was  much  like  the  indoor  league  in  organization 
and  structure,  playing  a schedule  that  lasted  till  the  middle  of  April. 
Basketball  was  also  played  by  numerous  independent  teams  on  the  open 
evenings. 

Wrestling 

During  the  year  wrestling  became  very  popular  at  the  Center,  the  suc- 
cess of  the  work  being  due  in  a great  measure  to  the  untiring  work  of 
the  volunteer  instructor,  who  had  himself  been  a National  A.  A.  F. 
Champion.  At  first  one  night  a week  was  devoted  to  the  sport  but  the 
class  grew  to  such  proportions  that  a second  evening  had  to  be  assigned 
to  wrestling.  Several  exhibition  matches  were  given  at  the  close  of  the 
High  School  basketball  games  on  Friday  nights  during  the  winter. 

Activities  for  the  Poles 

The  township  has  among  its  population  probably  6,000  Poles,  who1 
warmly  cherish  and  preserve  all  the  folk-traditions  brought  over  by 
them  from  the  old  country  — a group  that  can  make  important  contribu- 
tions to  American  life,  but  one  that  needs  some  very  concrete  interpreta- 
tions of  what  America  really  means  if  the  vitally  important  process  of 
assimilation  is  to  go  forward.  With  this  in  mind,  the  Center  has  at- 
tempted to  enlist  the  aid  of  the  priests  of  the  local  Polish  churches  with 
the  intent  of  getting  their  people  to  use  its  facilities.  Since  both  St. 
Hyacinth’s  church,  La  Salle,  and  St,  Valentine’s,  Peru,  have  well- 
equipped  parish  houses,  the  need  of  club  meeting-rooms  was  negative. 
As  a matter  of  fact  St.  Hyacinth’s  church  has  actually  been  operating 
a Social  Center  through  the  wider  use  of  its  church  facilities  for  several 
years  past.  There  was,  however,  one  organization  that  could  not  find 
adequate  facilities  in  the  church-schools  for  its  activities,  and  that  was 
the  Polish  “Falcons”  or  Turners,  a military  and  gymnastic  organiza- 
tion. Accordingly,  the  use  of  the  Recreation  Building  was  tendered  to 
them  and  accepted  for  one  night  a week,  at  which  time  the  Falcons  carry 
on  their  drill,  marching,  and  apparatus  work  under  the  supervision  and 
direction  of  a trained  Polish  leader.  The  group  also  has  the  use  of  the 
Club  Rooms,  Auditorium  and  Swimming-pool.  Not  only  are  the  members 
of  the  Falcons  enjoying  these  privileges  but  so  also  are  hundreds  of 
other  Poles  — friends  and  relations  — who  crowd  the  gallery  and  watch 


the  proceedings.  On  two  evenings  in  June  a special  musket  drill  was 
held  under  the  direction  of  the  head  drill  master  of  the  National  Asso- 
ciation of  Falcons,  on  which  occasion  the  crowd  could  scarcely  be  ac- 
commodated. 

Recently  a troop  of  ‘ ‘ Boy  Scouts,  ’ ’ having  no  connection  however  with 
the  national  organization,  was  organized  at  St.  Valentine’s.  This  troop 
consists  of  seventy  boys  and  is  really  a preparatory  group  for  the  Fal- 
cons. The  “Scouts”  are  drilled  by  members  of  the  Falcons  and  use  the 
Center  as  headquarters. 

The  celebration  of  the  most  important  of  all  Polish  national  holidays 
— Constitution  Day  — was  held  in  the  Auditorium  on  Sunday  after- 
noon, May  1,  1915.  This  affair  was  observed  with  all  pomp  and  cere- 
mony. The  entire  congregation  marched  from  St.  Valentine’s  church 
to  the  High  School  led  by  their  own  band  and  accompanied  by  the  Fal- 
cons and  Hussars  dressed  in  full  regalia.  Some  seven  hundred  people 
crowded  the  Auditorium  to  listen  to  a very  excellent  program  in  both 
languages,  rendered  by  the  children  as  well  as  by  the  priests  of  the  ad- 
jacent parishes  and  prominent  Poles  from  Chicago.  The  past  glory  of 
the  unfortunate  kingdom  was  related  both  in  verse  and  song  by  the 
adult  choirs  and  the  children  and  in  ringing  speech  by  the  male  speak- 
ers, while  the  future  hopes  of  a united  Poland  brought  forth  enthusi- 
astic applause  from  the  audience.  What  better  demonstration  of  patri- 
otism could  be  given  the  native  American  than  an  occasion  of  this  kind  I 
What  potential  qualities  of  good  citizenship  are  not  lying  dormant  in 
these  people  awaiting  the  call  to  American  citizenship ! 

Tennis 

Tennis  is  literally  an  unknown  sport  in  the  township.  This  being  the 
case,  there  was  scarcely  any  demand  for  the  court  located  alongside  of 
the  High  School  except  by  a mere  handful  of  High  School  students. 
But  with  th  completion  of  the  two  new  courts  on  the  Athletic  Field  a 
definite  effort  was  made  by  the  Center  to  arouse  interest  in  the  game. 
This  work  is  yet  in  its  infancy  although  a very  flourishing  Tennis  Club 
has  been  organized,  its  members  paying  a nominal  fee  for  use  of  the 
courts  and  nets.  The  proceeds  pay  for  the  upkeep  of  the  courts. 

The  Grade  and  Parochial  School  Athletic  League 

This  organization  includes  all  of  the  activities  shared  by  the  children 
of  the  grade  and  parochial  schools  of  the  Township..  Its  membership 
consists  of  nine  public  grade  schools  and  seven  parish  schools,  and  in- 
cludes activities  for  both  boys  and  girls  of  all  ages.  The  greatest  ef- 
forts of  the  Center  are  focused  on  the  activities  of  this  league,  since  it 
is  felt  that  here  certainly  a constructive  program  for  the  future  will  bear 
the  greatest  fruits. 

Besides  gymnasium  and  swimming  classes  for  both  boys  and  girls  the 
following  activities  are  carried  on : two  indoor  baseball  leagues  witli 
championship  shields  for  each  offered  by  the  Social  Center ; two  outdoor 
baseball  leagues  with  the  Peru  Business  Men’s  Shield,  the  trophy  for  the 
Grade  league,  and  the  Calvert  Council,  Knights  of  Columbus,  Shield, 
the  trophy  for  the  Parochial  League;  a Washington  Birthday  indoor 
track  meet,  with  the  La  Salle  Commercial  Association  loving  cup  for 
the  winning. school ; and  an  outdoor  track  meet  in  which  the  schools  com- 


Trophy  Winners  and  Boys’  Committee 


pete  for  the  silver  loving  cup  offered  by  the  Oglesby  Commercial  Club. 
These  trophies  are  held  one  year  by  the  winning  school,  and  are  to  be- 
come the  permanent  property  of  the  schools  winning  them  three  times. 

Since  not  every  child  is  able  to  compete  on  his  school  team,  a set  of 
proficiency  tests,  with  gold,  silver,  and  bronze  medals  as  a reward,  are 
given  monthly  for  boys  and  girls.  One  direct  result  of  these  tests  has 
been  the  appearance  of  home-made  apparatus  for  jumping  and  chinning 
in  many  back  yards  where  the  children  of  the  neighborhood  can  get  in 
trim  for  the  next  medal  contests.  Next  year  it  is  planned  to  offer  a 
prize  for  the  school  winning  the  greatest  number  of  medals,  whereby  it 
is  hoped  that  the  schools  themselves  will  cooperate  to  a larger  degree  in 
getting  a greater  number  to  compete. 

As  an  inducement  to  greater  proficiency  in  swimming  a monogram  of 
white  felt  containing  the  letters  S.  C.  is  awarded  to  boys  who  swim  120 
yards  and  a monogram  of  different  design  to  girls  for  swimming  60 
yards.  The  results  from  both  this  scheme  and  the  badge  tests  have  been 
a keen  rivalry  and  a notable  increase  in  numbers  and  interest. 

Parents’  Nights 

During  the  spring  a series  of  Parents’  Nights  was  held  at  the  Center. 
On  these  evenings  the  children  of  a particular  school  invited  friends  and 
relatives  to  see  them  march,  drill,  do  apparatus  work  and  play  games. 
At  the  close  of  these  exercises  an  informal  reception  was  held  in  the 
Music  Room,  where  the  parents  were  told  of  the  aims  and  activities  of 
the  Social  Center  and  were  invited  to  lend  their  cooperation  wherever 
possible.  These  affairs  drew  very  large  attendances  toward  the  latter 
part  of  the  season,  although  the  attendance  of  the  first  two  or  three 
was  rather  disappointing.  They  were  certainly  the  means  of  bringing 
to  the  Center  many  adults  who  had  never  before  attended.  In  the  com- 
ing winter  (1915-1916)  it  is  hoped  to  foster  a still  greater  interest 
among  the  parents  by  means  of  series  of  musical  and  dramatic  evenings 
with  their  children  the  performers. 

The  Summer’s  Activities 

During  the  summer  of  1915  the  following  schedule  was  instituted: 
Swimming  classes  for  all,  early  morning  gymnasium  classes  (both  in- 
doors and  on  the  athletic  field),  folk  dancing,  kite  making  and  flying, 
story-telling,  dolls’  club,  proficiency-tests,  game-room  activities,  evening 
gymnasium-work  for  the  Polish  Falcons  and  for  the  women,  outings  and 
picnics,  baseball,  track,  and  tennis.  With  the  completion  of  the  outdoor 
tank  the  swimming  classes  will  be  rearranged  so  as  to  relieve  the  con- 
gestion caused  by  the  unusually  large  numbers  in  some  of  the  classes. 

Non-Athletic  Activities 

With  the  wonderful  facilities  at  hand  for  athletics  in  all  its  forms,  the 
emphasis  during  the  first  year  was  naturally  placed  upon  athletic  activ- 
ities, while  non-athletic  affairs  were  organized  in  a more  conservative 
fashion.  The  organization  followed  the  line  of  popular  interest. 

One  factor  that  has  been  responsible  for  the  relatively  small  participa- 
tion of  older  groups  is  the  distance  of  the  High  School  from  the  resi- 
dential and  business  centers  and  the  small  population  in  the  immediate 


Small  Boys'  Kite-Making  Class 


Weekly  Outing  of  Social  Center  Girls 


neighborhood.  Add  to  this  the  fact  that  a steep  hill  must  be  climbed  or 
ravines  crossed  before  the  school  finally  is  reached  and  the  disadvantage 
is  apparent.  This  disadvantage  naturally  operates  mostly  among  the 
older  folks,  who  use  either  the  convenient  Library  Halls,  the  City  Halls, 
the  Grade  Schools,  or  a room  in  one  of  the  parish  halls  of  which  the 
Township  has  quite  a number  ; and  it  is  among  the  older  element  that 
the  majority  of  the  non-athletic  groups  of  community  activities  must 
be  recruited.  Some  account  of  the  more  representative  events  follows. 

The  Glee  Club 

The  Glee  Club  of  the  La  Salle  Commercial  Association,  an  organiza- 
tion of  young  men  living  in  the  three  towns,  made  its  headquarters  at 
the  Social  Center  since  its  opening.  The  club  consists  of  fifteen  members 
and  is  directed  by  a local  singer  of  note.  It  really  acts  as  a community 
club  in  that  its  services  are  available  at  all  public  gatherings.  On  Janu- 
ary 6,  1915,  the  Glee  Club  brought  the  Oberlin  College  Glee  Club  to  La 
Salle  for  a concert  which  was  held  in  the  Auditorium,  after  which  a re- 
ception and  dance  were  held  in  the  Recreation  Building.  The  Club 
uses  either  the  Music  Room  or  the  Auditorium  for  its  rehearsals. 

The  C.  A.  L.  S.  O.  M.  Club 

This  organization,  which  is  wholly  independent  of  the  Social  Center, 
had  its  origin  at  the  time  of  the  State  Conference  of  Charities  and  Cor- 
rections, held  in  the  Tri-Cities  in  October,  when  Mrs.  Mather,  secretary 
of  the  Illinois  Vigilance  Association,  gave  the  club  its  start.  The  local 
chapter  has  a membership  of  eighty  girls  between  the  ages  of  fourteen 
and  twenty-two.  Some  of  their  meetings  have  been  held  in  the  Social 
Center.  One  meeting  a month  is  for  business,  featured  by  a literary 
or  musical  program  and  by  an  occasional  speaker.  The  second  meeting 
each  month  is  devoted  to  some  social  activity  such  as  a dance,  a party, 
or  an  entertainment  to  which  the  girls  invite  their  boy  friends.  The 
club  gave  a very  interesting  entertainment  on  St.  Patrick’s  night,  at  the 
Center,  which  was  attended  by  one  hundred  and  sixty  persons,  including 
many  of  the  girls’  parents. 

Dances 

While  dances  have  not  been  conducted  by  the  Social  Center  itself,  yet 
many  private  organizations  have  used  the  gymnasium  for  that  purpose. 
The  Fortnightly  Club  gave  a dance  the  night  of  the  football  game  with 
Ottawa  High  School  in  honor  of  the  Ottawa  team.  The  High  School 
Alumni  has  given  three  dances,  one  during  Christmas  week  which  was 
a big  success  from  every  standpoint  and  the  other  two  at  Commencement 
time.  The  Deutsche  Gesellsehaft  has  given  several  parties,  including  a 
very  interesting  Washington  Birthday  party  at  which  a program  in  Ger- 
man was  the  main  feature,  followed  by  German  games  and  a dance  in 
the  gymnasium.  The  Camp  Fire  girls  also  utilized  Christmas  week  for  a 
dance  which  was  held  on  New  Year’s  Night.  It  took  the  form  of  a 
masquerade,  the  costumes  and  decorations  transforming  the  gymnasium 
into  a veritable  fairyland. 

The  Alumni  Association 

The  Alumni  Association  of  the  High  School  has  utilized  the  Social 
Center  not  only  for  its  dances,  but  also  for  its  meetings  and  dramatics. 


The  Alumni  Indoor  Baseball  team  was  a member  of  the  League,  finish- 
ing the  season  in  third  place.  It  is  hoped  that  this  association  will  be  of 
considerable  assistance  in  building  up  the  work  of  the  Center  by  means 
of  volunteer  cooperation,  which  in  fact  has  been  bountifully  given  by 
several  members  of  the  association  during  the  past  winter. 

The  N.  I.  T.  A.  and  the  Charities  Conferences 

During  October,  two  conferences  were  tendered  the  use  of  the  High 
School  Recreation  Building  for  their  sessions.  The  Northern  Illinois 
Teachers’  Association  held  the  majority  of  its  sessions  in  the  Auditorium 
and  various  rooms  of  the  two  buildings  on  Friday,  October  16,  1914,  and 
the  Illinois  State  Conference  of  Charities  and  Corrections  utilized  the 
same  facilities  from  Saturday,  October  24,  1914,  until  the  following 
Tuesday.  In  the  gymnasium,  gallery,  and  library  were  placed  exhibits 
from  the  various  state  institutions  as  well  as  many  local  exhibits  from 
the  township.  The  sectional  meetings  of  the  conference  were  held  in 
the  Music  and  History  Rooms,  while  a large  number  of  the  main  sessions 
were  held  in  the  Auditorium.  During  the  Conference,  the  Center  and 
School  made  every  effort  to  induce  that  part  of  the  township  which 
formed  its  constituency  at  least  to  visit  the  exhibits,  if  not  to  attend  the 
public  meetings,  of  the  Conference.  Probably  the  greatest  success  was 
gained  among  the  High  School  students,  who  took  advantage  to  an  unex- 
pected degree.  It  was  remarked  by  officials  of  the  Conference  that  the  at- 
tendance at  the  section-meetings  was  on  this  occasion  much  larger  than 
it  has  been  in  some  of  the  largest  cities.  Thus  the  educational  effects  of 
this  Conference  reached  through  the  Center  an  unusually  large  public. 

The  Young  Men’s  Club 

A club  composed  entirely  of  young  men  from  the  neighborhood  boasts 
of  a membership  of  thirty.  This  organization  is  the  old  neighborhood 
gang  who  are  now  applying  their  efforts  to  athletic  and  club  activities. 
Their  efforts  include  gymnasium  work,  indoor  baseball,  basketball,  base- 
ball, swimming,  and  club  meetings.  A prominent  speaker  is  secured  to 
address  The  club  one  meeting  a month.  In  the  winter  the  club  antici- 
pates giving  a minstrel  show  and  several  dances. 

Events  in  the  Auditorium 

Besides  the  conferences,  Polish  Constitution  Day,  and  the  Oberlin 
Glee  Club  concert,  the  Auditorium  has  been  used  by  various  organiza- 
tions and  groups  for  both  the  High  School  and  outsiders.  Concerts,  en- 
tertainments, and  lectures  have  been  held  at  various  times,  for  which  use 
a nominal  fee  has  usually  been  charged  to  cover  the  cost  of  light  and 
heat,  based  on  the  size  of  audience,  the  amount  of  profit,  and  the  use  to 
which  the  proceeds  were  to  be  put.  Several  churches  held  musicals  and 
entertainments;  Mr.  Goldstein  lectured  on  “Socialism”  under  the  aus- 
pices of  the  Knights  of  Columbus;  and  the  Grade  Schools  held  their 
commencement  in  the  Auditorium.  During  the  year  several  attractions 
of  note  were  brought  to  the  towns  and  offered  to  the  public  at  a price 
just  sufficient  to  cover  expenses.  They  were : Seumas  MacManus,  who 
gave  two  very  interesting  talks,  one  for  the  school  in  the  afternoon  on 
‘ ‘ A Merry  Ramble  Through  Ireland  ’ ’ and  another  in  the  evening  for  the 


public  on  the  same  subject ; the  Ben  Greet  players  presented  ‘ ‘ Twelfth 
Night”;  the  Fuller  Sisters  gave  an  afternoon  of  English  Folk  Songs  and 
Dances ; and  Secretary  Lewis  of  the  Navy  League  gave  two  talks  on  ‘ ‘ In- 
crease of  the  Navy,”  one  for  the  school  and  another  for  the  general 
public.  The  last  named  talk  was  given  admission  free,  as  were  Professor 
Riggs’s  two  talks  on  the  “ Extinct  Monsters  of  North  America.”  In 
May  Mrs.  Anna  Schram  Imig  and  Miss  Helen  R.  Calhoun  gave  a de- 
lightful song  and  piano  recital. 

The  wider  use  of  the  Auditorium  looms  large  with  possibilities  for  the 
future.  It  is  hoped  that  public  meetings  of  all  kinds  will  be  held  there ; 
certainly  no  place  more  fitting  will  be  found  for  the  people  to  discuss 
their  common  problems. 

The  Center  and  School  as  a Reference  Bureau 

The  Center  is  becoming  more  and  more  a reference  bureau  for  all 
questions  on  recreation.  Besides  answering  numerous  queries  from  in- 
dividuals on  matters  pertaining  to  various  athletic  sports,  equipment, 
hygiene,  picnics,  etc.,  assistance  has  been  given  adjoining  towns  who 
wished  information  on  the  organization  of  leagues  and  on  swimming 
pool  construction  and  sanitation.  Suggestions  were  given  the  Oglesby 
Grade  Schools  at  the  time  the  plans  were  being  drawn  up  for  their  new 
annex,  which  will  be  operated  as  a Social  Center  when  completed.  In 
this  way  the  Center  hopes  to  act  as  the  central  agency  for  the  surround- 
ing district  in  all  matters  of  recreation,  just  as  hitherto  the  School  has 
performed  these  same  functions  for  education  in  manifold  ways. 

Proposed  Extension  Work  of  the  School 

Among  the  plans  for  the  school-work  of  the  coming  winter  should  be 
mentioned  the  “Farmers’  Short  Course”  to  be  held  for  twelve  weeks  for 
farm-boys,  and  a Short  Course  for  adult  farmers.  These  courses  are  to 
include  besides  the  regular  courses  and  lectures  on  crops,  soils,  stock, 
building  construction,  etc.,  talks  on  community  work,  wider  use  of  the 
schoolhouses,  granges,  vegetable,  flower,  and  grain  clubs  among  the  chil- 
dren, rural  recreation  and  rural  sociology.  Some  of  this  latter  work  is 
to  be  given  by  the  Social  Center  staff,  while  the  more  technical  subjects 
will  be  handled  by  members  of  the  High  School  faculty  and  by  special- 
ists from  nearby  districts. 

Assistance  will  also  be  rendered  the  Oglesby  Public  Schools  in  their 
efforts  to  organize  after  school  and  evening  work  in  the  new  annex. 

The  Social  Workers’  Club 

This  organization  is  just  in  its  period  of  formation,  so  that  any  de- 
tailed account  of  its  activities  is  impossible.  The  tentative  plans,  how- 
ever, include  monthly  luncheons  and  meetings  at  which  common  local 
problems  will  be  discussed ; speakers  from  other  cities  will  be  secured  to 
address  the  groups  whenever  possible.  The  membership  will  probably 
number  about  twenty-five,  including  besides  the  paid  workers  of  the 
various  social  agencies,  the  school  superintendents  and  principals,  the 
township  supervisors  and  the  clergy. 

The  Club  feels  that  by  cooperative  action  only  can  the  local  problems 
be  treated  with  anything  like  efficiency.  This  cooperation  is  the  ideal 
the  Social  Workers’  Club  stands  for. 


But  it  was  only  after  Mr.  F.  W.  Matthiessen  had  made  an  offer  to  donate 
funds  for  the  establishment  and  support  of  such  a cooperative  health  de- 
partment that  the  matter  was  taken  under  serious  consideration  by  the 
city  officials. 

Plan  and  Formation  of  the  Hygienic  Institute 

The  plan  which  was  thus  put  forward  and  accepted  by  the  three 
municipalities  provided  for  the  establishment  of  a Hygienic  Institute  in 
La  Salle  under  the  general  guidance  of  a director  (who  is  chosen  by  Mr. 
Matthiessen  and  Dr.  Chancellor,  his  advisor  ) , and  supported  by  a dona- 
tion from  Mr.  Matthiessen.  The  director  of  the  Hygienic  Institute  is  at 
the  same  time  the  chief  health-officer  for  the  three  cities.  But  in  ordejr 
to  give  the  organization  a legal  standing,  it  was  necessary  for  the  mayor 
and  city  council  in  each  of  the  three  cities  to  appoint  an  assistant  health- 
officer  who  is  a resident  of  the  city  where  he  serves.  These  assistant 
health-officers  are  medical  practitioners  and  give  only  a part  of  their 
time  to  this  work.  They  act  in  the  capacity  of  medical  inspectors,  and 
are  virtually  in  charge  of  the  contagious  diseases  in  their  respective  dis- 
tricts, including  the  schools  which  they  are  expected  to  visit  almost  daily. 

The  plan  further  provided  that  each  of  the  three  municipalities  should 
engage  a sanitary  policeman  who  is  to  work  under  the  direction  of  the 
health  officer,  but  shall  be  paid  by  the  city.  The  cities  were  also  to 
provide  for  the  collection  and  disposal  of  garbage,  and  to  adopt  a more 
up-to-date  sanitary  code,  which  would  embody  recommendations  made 
by  the  director  of  the  Hygienic  Institute. 


The  Housing  and  The  Staff 

The  Hygienic  Institute  is  housed  in  a remodeled  building  adjacent  to 
the  La  Salle-Peru  Township  High  School.  In  this  building  are  main- 
tained properly  furnished  offices  with  filing  cabinets  and  printed  blanks 
for  keeping  records,  and  a completely  equipped  laboratory  for  making 
baeteriologic  diagnoses  and  sanitary  chemical  analyses  of  waters  and 
foods.  Close  cooperation  with  the  high  school  is  maintained,  and  classes 
frequently  visit  the  offices  and  laboratory  and  have  the  public  health 
work  explained  to  them.  Members  of  the  Institute  are  frequently  in- 
vited by  the  high  school  principal  to  give  health  talks  before  classes  or  at 
the  general  assembly.  The  director  of  the  Institute  and  the  bacteriolo- 
gist aim  to  give  part  of  their  time  to  original  investigations  and  hence  a 
sufficient  number  of  assistants  are  employed  to  make  this  possible.  At 
present  the  following  staff  is  employed  by  the  Hygienic  Institute : 


Director  ...... 

Bacteriologist 

Ass’t  Health  Commissioner,  La  Salle 
Ass’t  Health  Commissioner,  Peru 
Ass’t  Health  Commissioner,  Oglesby 
Infant  Welfare  Nurse 
School  Nurse  . 

School  Nurse  . 

Dairy  Inspector 
Clerk  and  Stenographer  . 
Technician 


Gustav  F.  Ruediger,  M.  D. 
Edward  H.  Hatton,  M.  D. 

B.  E.  Fahrney,  M.  D. 

. 0.  C.  Yoder,  M.  D. 

R.  G.  Cressman,  M.  D. 
Florence  L.  Cameron,  R.  N. 
Minerva  Egan,  R.  N. 
Mrs.  Minnie  Pearl  Guynes 
. W.  L.  Farley,  M.  D.  Y. 

Sarah  E.  Byrne 
W.  J.  Rohde 


Mr.  Matthiessen’s  donation  in  support  of  this  work  was  as  follows: 
$12,000  for  a suitable  building  for  offices  and  laboratory,  $5,000  for  lab- 
oratory equipment  and  office  fixtures,  and  $16,350  annually  for  salaries 
and  maintenance. 


Scope  of  the  Work 

The  officers  of  the  Hygienic  Institute  are  charged  with  the  enforce- 
ment of  all  local  and  state  laws  pertaining  to  the  health  of  the  people 
in  the  district.  They  look  after  the  prevention  and  suppression  of  con- 
tagious diseases,  the  sanitary  regulation  of  the  water  and  milk  supply, 
the  sanitary  inspection  of  grocery  stores,  meat  markets,  and  dairies,  the 
medical  inspection  of  school  children,  and  the  general  sanitation  of  the 
streets  and  alleys. 

A year  ago  about  two-thirds  of  the  milk  delivered  in  La  Salle,  and  at 
least  three-fourths  of  that  delivered  in  Peru,  was  dipped  from  cans  on 
open  wagons,  in  the  streets.  No  attention  had  been  paid  to  dairy  inspec- 
tion and  no  bacteriological  or  chemical  analyses  of  milk  were  made.  At 
present  all  milk  delivered  in  La  Salle  is  bottled  in  sterilized  bottles  and 
pasteurized,  and  approximately  one-third  of  the  supply  in  Peru  is 
bottled.  In  Oglesby  practically  the  entire  supply  is  delivered  in  bottles. 
All  dairies  are  systematically  inspected  and  scored  and  the  product  from 
each  dairy  is  subjected  to  a bacteriologic  and  chemical  analysis  at  least 
twice  every  month. 

All  grocery  stores  and  meat  markets  are  being  inspected  and  scored 
and  in  a number  of  instances  orders  were  given  to  keep  the  places  of 
business  in  a more  sanitary  condition.  In  some  instances  no  provisions 
had  been  made  for  the  washing  of  the  hands  of  employees.  Some  of  the 
stores  have  no  toilet  facilities,  which  were  ordered  to  be  installed.  All 
sidewalk  displays  of  groceries  and  fruits  must  be  elevated  at  least  eight- 
een inches  above  the  sidewalk  and  must  be  kept  covered  with  mosquito 
netting  to  keep  off  flies. 

As  many  of  the  alleys  in  La  Salle  and  Oglesby  were  in  a very  unsan- 
itary condition  much  time  and  attention  have  been  devoted  to  them.  All 
manner  of  refuse  and  kitchen  garbage,  tin  cans,  and  broken  bottles  were 
being  thrown  into  the  alleys  and  very  few  families  were  using  covered 
water-tight  garbage  cans.  A campaign  was  instituted  against  these  con- 
ditions in  the  spring  of  1914  and  a very  decided  improvement  has  been 
obtained.  Hundreds  of  families  have  provided  themselves  with  covered 
water-tight  garbage  cans  and  the  throwing  of  garbage  and  kitchen  slops 
into  the  alleys  has  almost  ceased. 

Insanitary  outdoor  privies  were  found  in  practically  every  block  in 
the  communities.  As  these  privies  are  a constant  source  of  annoyance 
and  a menace  to  the  health  of  the  neighborhood  we  instituted  a campaign 
against  them  in  the  fall  of  1914.  We  outlined  a large  district  in  the 
residence  portion  of  La  Salle  from  which  all  outdoor  privies  must  be  re- 
moved before  the  close  of  the  present  year. 

Medical  Inspection  of  School  Children 

All  schools  in  La  Salle,  Peru,  and  Oglesby  are  visited  almost 
daily  during  the  school  year  by  either  the  school  nurse  or  one  of  the  as- 
sistant health  commissioners.  These  visits  are  made  for  the  purpose  of 


examining  children  who  may  be  unwell  in  order  that  contagions  diseases 
may  be  detected  early  and  excluded  from  school.  Children  who  are  ab- 
sent from  school  for  two  days  or  more  on  account  of  sickness  are  visited 
in  their  homes  to  determine  the  nature  of  the  illness.  Through  these 
precautions  59  cases  of  diphtheria  were  detected  among  school  children 
during  the  year,  all  of  which  might  otherwise  have  escaped  quarantine 
and  have  started  epidemics.  Most  of  these  cases  were  mild,  hut  it  is 
worth  while  to  point  out  that  epidemics  are  usually  started  by  mild  and 
unrecognized  cases.  The  child  who  is  critically  ill  is  nearly  always  prop- 
erly quarantined  and  thus  prevented  from  spreading  contagion. 

At  the  opening  of  the  school  year  all  children  were  subjected  to  a rou- 
tine inspection  for  the  detection  of  contagious  diseases,  skin  diseases,  in- 
fectious eye  diseases,  and  pediculosis  (head-lice).  During  this  inspec- 
tion we  found  69  cases  of  ringworm  of  the  face,  5 cases  of  impetigo,  226 
cases  of  pediculosis,  3 cases  of  desquamation  after  scarlet  fever,  and  a 
number  of  cases  of  eye-defects.  These  routine  inspections  are  to  be  re- 
peated at  the  beginning  of  each  school  term.  Wherever  possible  these 
children  were  treated  by  the  school  nurse,  and  at  the  close  of  the  present 
school  year  there  were  only  10  cases  of  pediculosis  in  the  public  schools 
in  the  three  cities  and  no  cases  of  ringworm  or  impetigo. 

All  school  children  are  to  be  given  a partial  physical  examination 
once  every  two  years  for  detection  of  defects  of  the  eyes,  ears,  nose, 
throat,  and  teeth.  During  the  year  just  closed  1,359  children  were 
given  this  physical  examination,  which  revealed  104  cases  of  defective 
vision,  49  cases  of  defective  hearing,  162  cases  of  defective  teeth,  and  32 
cases  of  defective  nasal  breathing.  In  the  future  all  of  these  inspections 
and  physical  examination  are  to  be  extended  to  the  parochial  schools  as 
well  as  the  public  schools. 

Infant  Welfare  Work 

The  Infant  Welfare  work  is  carried  on  by  another  division  of  the  Hy- 
gienic Institute  known  as  the  Emma  Matthiessen-Chancellor  Memorial 
Infant  Welfare  Station.  This  work  is  in  charge  of  a trained  nurse.  The 
purpose  of  this  department  is  to  teach  mothers  and  prospective  mothers 
how  to  take  care  of  the  baby.  Special  attention  is  given  to  the  instruc- 
tion of  mothers  in  the  proper  feeding  of  infants.  Wherever  possible  the 
mother  is  induced  to  nurse  the  infant,  but  in  special  cases  a modified 
milk  diet  is  prescribed.  About  fifty  dollars’  worth  of  milk  is  distributed 
free  every  month,  chiefly  for  the  feeding  of  infants,  but  in  some  instances 
also  for  the  mother  for  the  purpose  of  increasing  her  own  supply.  Reg- 
ular visits  are  made  by  the  nurse  in  the  homes  and  once  every  week  the 
mothers  bring  their  children  to  the  Hygienic  Institute  to  be  weighed  and 
examined.  Special  classes  of  instruction  in  the  care  of  the  baby  are 
given  to  high  school  girls. 


The  Tri-City  Associated  Charities 


La  Salle-Peru-Oglesby 


Main  Office  — Merchants’  Block,  La  Salle;  Oglesby  Office  — City  Hall, 

Oglesby 


President  . 

General  Secretary 
Visitor,  Probation  Officer 

Visitors 

Office  Assistant  . 


. A Nenrenther,  Pern,  Illinois 
May  L.  Shepard,  La  Salle,  Illinois 
Margaret  Gaynor,  La  Salle,  Illinois 
. Lnlu  Bereiter,  Peru,  Illinois 
Christine  Lindsay,  Oglesby,  Illinois 
Marie  Huber 


Object  and  Methods 


To  provide  immediate  relief ; to  conserve  and  strengthen  self  respect ; 
to  utilize  all  helpful  public  and  private  agencies  for  the  purpose  of  re- 
habilitating needy  families  in  the  three  cities. 

The  Tri-Cities  Associated  Charities  is  the  single  private  agency  in  the 
three  cities  which  deals  exclusively  with  needy  familes  as  a unit,  irre- 
spective of  race  or  creed.  Its  staff  of  trained  workers  spend  each  day  in 
the  administration  of  its  activities  and  in  visitation  in  the  homes  of  un- 
fortunate people.  Two  groups  of  volunteers  meet  weekly  for  the  study 
of  local  and  general  social  conditions  and  for  the  thoughtful  considera- 
tion of  individual  family  problems.  One  of  its  visitors  is  the  juvenile 
probation  officer  for  La  Salle  County  Court  and  in  this  capacity  deals 
with  dependent  and  delinquent  children  and  families  for  whom  the 
county  provides  a mother’s  pension. 

During  the  last  ten  months  the  society  workers  have  dealt  with  381 
families.  In  a third  of  these  material  relief  in  food,  fuel,  rent,  and 
clothing ; medical  care,  in  the  form  of  physician ’s  attendance,  home  nurs- 
ing and  hospital  care,  medicine  and  sick  diet  have  been  provided,  and 
furniture  moving  expenses  and  transportation  have  been  secured  as  con- 
tributing factors  in  family  betterment.  Cash  pensions  have  enabled 
needy  boys  and  girls  to  continue  school  work  after  the  age  of  fourteen, 
and  payment  of  a housekeeper  ’s  service  has  prevented  the  separation  of 
motherless  children.  In  the  remaining  families,  advice,  employment, 
disciplinary  measures,  and  friendly  supervision  have  been  employed, 
and  members  put  in  touch  with  specialized  agencies  which  would  meet 
their  individual  needs. 


Example  of  the  Work 

The  R — > family  live  in  a tiny  house  in  a hollow  in  the  extreme  east 
end  of  La  Salle.  When  the  Associated  Charities  first  knew  them,  one 
year  ago,  Mr.  R — had  been  out  of  work  for  some  time  by  reason  of  poor 
health  and  was  drinking.  Mrs.  R — was  untidy  and  inclined  to  beg  and 
settle  down  into  dependency.  The  children  had  bad  records  and  even 
the  parish  priest  thought  them  almost  hopeless.  One  little  boy  bad  a 
badly  deformed  leg,  the  result  of  an  injury  in  babyhood.  A physician 
at  the  Health  Department  diagnosed  Mr.  R — ’s  ailment  as  miner’s 
asthma  and  said  that  improvement  was  impossible  if  he  undertook  fac- 
tory or  mine  work  again.  Assistance  from  both  the  Associated  Char- 


ities  and  the  County  Supervisor  was  given;  the  little  boy  treated  by  a 
specialist  and  very  constant  visitation  and  encouragement  given  the 
woman.  During  the  winter  the  eldest  boy,  who  had  just  reached  16,  se- 
cured factory  work  for  $6.00  per  week.  In  April  the  visitor  found  out- 
door employment  for  Mr.  R — at  $2.00  per  day  and  Mrs.  R — , who  had 
by  this  time  come  to  show  marked  improvem'ent  in  housekeeping,  was 
helped  to  find  temporary  places  at  house-cleaning,  all  of  which  she  filled 
satisfactorily.  Permanent  work  for  her  was  not  encouraged  as  it  was 
felt  that  all  her  efforts  should  be  directed  to  the  betterment  of  her  own 
family  conditions.  She  was  allowed,  however,  to  keep  one  place  at  of- 
fice cleaning  which  paid  her  $2.00  per  week  for  one-half  day’s  work. 
When  debts  had  been  paid  a conference  was  held  with  the  man  and 
woman  with  the  result  that  they  bring  weekly  money  to  the  office  to  be 
kept  for  them  against  the  winter  months  when  Mr.  R — will  be  unable  to 
work.  It  is  hoped  that  no  outside  assistance  for  this  family  will  be 
further  required.  The  improvement  in  housekeeping  and  in  hopeful- 
ness and  ambition  has  been  wonderful. 

Sources  of  Support 

The  funds  for  the  work  of  the  Tri-City  Associated  Charities  are  raised 
by  private  subscription  in  all  three  towns.  During  the  past  year,  the 
admission  receipts  of  Deer  Park,  a scenic  resort  near  Oglesby,  Illinois, 
owned  by  Mr.  P.  W.  Matthiessen,  have  been  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the 
Society,  which  collects  and  administers  the  receipts  from  this  source. 


The  Women’s  Clubs,  Bureaus  and 
Civic  Leagues 


La  Salle  Women’s  Bureau 

Mrs.  J.  A.  Ede President 

Miss  Sophia  Jankowski Vice  President 

Mrs.  C.  S.  Blakely  ........  Treasurer 

Miss  Jennie  Cline Secretary 


The  La  Salle  Women’s  Bureau  is  the  offspring  of  the  La  Salle  Com- 
mercial Association,  and  was  organized  March  12,  1912. 

Object  and  Membership 

“This  Bureau  shall  be  affiliated  with  the  La  Salle  Commercial  Asso- 
ciation, and  shall  assist  said  Association  in  beautifying  the  city  and  pro- 
moting the  civic  and  general  welfare  of  the  community. 

“Any  person  in  good  standing  residing  in  the  city  of  La  Salle  or 
vicinity  interested  in  and  desiring  to  encourage  the  developing  of  this 
community  shall  be  eligible  for  active  membership  in  the  Bureau.” 

Control  and  Activities 

It  is  controlled  by  a board  of  directors  elected  annually  at  a general 
meeting.  The  officers  consist  of  a president,  vice-president,  secretary, 
and  treasurer,  who  hold  office  one  year. 


In  its  efforts  to  add  to  the  beauty  of  the  city  it  inaugurated  a flower 
contest  and  shrub  sales,  one  of  which  is  held  in  the  spring  and  the  other 
in  the  fall  of  each  year.  During  the  past  three  years  four  thousand 
shrubs  were  sold,  and  the  demand  for  them  is  constantly  increasing. 

Twice  a year  a clean-up  campaign  is  made  against  every  unsanitary 
condition  and  for  the  removal  of  every  objectionable  feature  that  tends 
to  mar  the  beauty  of  the  city.  The  present  beautiful  miniature  park  at 
the  foot  of  Gooding  street  is  a memento  of  the  efforts  of  the  Women’s 
Bureau  in  this  direction. 

The  green  boxes  seen  on  our  streets  with  the  stenciled  appeal,  “help 
keep  your  city  clean,”  were  placed  there  by  the  Women’s  Bureau. 

Initiatory  steps  have  been  taken  towards  planting  shrubs  near  the  en- 
trance to  the  Rock  Island  Depot  and  placing  vines  to  adorn  the  abut- 
ment of  the  Zimmerman  Opera  House  bordering  on  Marquette  street. 

In  promoting  the  civic  and  general  welfare  of  the  city,  it  has  peti- 
tioned the  council  for  the  enforcement  of  the  law  prohibiting  the  sale  of 
cigarettes  to  minors ; the  enacting  of  the  curfew  ordinance ; it  has  remon- 
strated against  the  removal  of  all  dilapidated  buildings  from  one  part 
of  the  city  to  another ; and  has  recommended  a building  line  for  the  city. 

It  has  opened  a rest  room  for  women  in  the  basement  of  the  Carnegie 
Library,  with  a paid  matron  in  attendance.  It  has  brought  prominent 
speakers  to  speak  here  on  subjects  pertinent  to  civic  and  general  welfare 
of  the  community,  and  encouraged  home  talent  to  speak  on  the  same 
lines.  The  Women’s  Bureau  subscribes  annually  $25.00  to  the  Tri-City 
Charities.  It  has  always  shown  itself  an  appreciable  ally  to  all  those 
desiring  to  further  the  interests  and  welfare  of  the  children,  such  as  the 
Municipal  Christmas  Tree  and  the  Social  Center  picnics. 

The  Women’s  Bureau  has  recently  affiliated  with  the  Child’s  Welfare 
League,  the  Illinois  Federation  of  Women’s  Clubs  and  the  American 
Civic  Association. 

The  Women’s  Bureau  has  taken  a very  lively  interest  in  every  effort  to 
debar  cheap  carnivals  from  entering  the  city,  and  in  encouraging  and 
promoting  the  Redpath  Chautauqua  and  similar  entertainments. 

It  takes  the  credit  for  having  been  a strong  supporter  of  Dr.  Ruediger 
in  his  demand  for  bottled  milk,  and  in  working  in  behalf  of  the  Tuber- 
culosis Association  in  selling  Red  Cross  seals. 

It  has  succeeded  in  securing  for  this  city  the  presence  of  the  12th  dis- 
trict meeting  of  the  Illinois  Federation  of  Women’s  Clubs,  October  14 
and  15,  1915. 


The  Children’s  Civic  League 

The  La  Salle  Women’s  Bureau  organized  a Children’s  Civic  League 
of  Good  Citizenship  in  the  La  Salle  schools.  The  League  has  elicited 
commendation  from  other  districts.  Every  school  forms  a branch  of  the 
main  body  with  its  own  president,  vice-president,  and  secretary.  The 
procedure  in  each  branch  is  strictly  parliamentary,  inculcating  the  in- 
itiatory steps  to  the  forum  and  public  platform.  The  Bureau  appoints 
five  speakers  who  address  the  children  once  a month  for  ten  minutes  on 
such  subjects  as  “Good  Citizenship  based  on  Good  Character,”  “La 
Salle  in  Early  Days,”  “Our  Town  and  City  Government,”  “The  Influ- 
ence our  League  may  have  on  Good  Citizenship.” 

On  the  occasion  of  Governor  Dunne’s  visit  members  of  the  League 


met  the  Governor  at  the  depot  and  escorted  him  to  the  city,  and  pre- 
sented him  with  a copy  of  their  constitution  and  by-laws.  The  badge 
of  the  League  is  a button  bearing  the  motto  ‘ ‘ I will  help  La  Salle.  ’ ’ The 
following  is  the  Constitution : 

Constitution 

Article  I.  This  Association  shall  be  called  the  Children’s  League  of 
Good  Citizenship  of  La  Salle. 

Article  II.  The  object  of  this  Association  shall  be  to  interest  the 
children  of  the  city  of  La  Salle  in  all  matters  relating  to  good  citizen- 
ship. 

By-Laws 

Section  I.  Name.  Each  school  branch  of  the  League  shall  be  known 
by  the  name  of  its  school,  as  Washington  League,  Jackson  League,  Lin- 
coln League,  Jefferson  League,  Grant  League. 

Section  II.  Each  branch  has  its  own  officers,  elected  at  first  monthly 
meeting  of  each  school  year. 

Section  III.  Officers.  The  officers  shall  consist  of  president,  vice- 
president,  and  secretary. 

Section  TV.  Members.  All  pupils  of  grades  above  second  to  be  mem- 
bers of  the  League. 

Section  V.  Time  of  meeting.  Each  branch  will  hold  meetings  on 
the  second  Friday,  3 :30  to  4 :00  p.  m.,  of  each  school  month,  from  Octo- 
ber to  May,  in  largest  assembly  room  of  respective  school. 

Section  VI.  Rules  for  Members : 

1.  To  throw  down  no  paper. 

2.  To  throw  down  no  fruit. 

3.  To  throw  down  no  rubbish. 

4.  To  injure  no  property. 

5.  To  observe  city  ordinances. 

Section  VII.  The  officers  and  members  shall  wear  emblematic  but- 
tons to  be  provided  by  the  Civic  Committee  of  the  Women’s  Bureau. 

The  Women’s  Bureau  of  Oglesby 


Officers 

President Mrs.  H.  A.  Bent 

Vice  President Mrs.  F.  H.  Lambert 

Secretary Mrs.  J.  H.  Standart 

Treasurer Mrs.  R.  G.  Cressman 


Improving  School  Grounds 

The  welfare  results  of  the  Women’s  Bureau  of  Oglesby  have  been 
numerous  and  their  activity  has  stimulated  civic  undertakings  in  many 
ways.  Under  their  leadership,  the  grounds  of  the  city  schools  have  been 
beautified.  Private  subscriptions  have  purchased  the  shrubs  for  the  pur- 
pose. Through  their  efforts  Mr.  Dawson,  manager  of  the  Nickel  Theatre 
in  Oglesby,  gave  forty  per  cent  of  one  night’s  receipts  of  his  theatre,  a 
performance  which  netted  twenty  dollars.  The  children  of  the  schools, 
when  the  grounds  were  beautified,  expected  some  play-ground  apparatus, 
and  not  having  enough  money,  the  Women’s  Club  applied  to  the  Com- 
mercial Association  of  Oglesby,  two  members  of  which,  Mr.  Turner  and 


Mr.  Fraser,  volunteered  to  furnish  free  of  charge  the  apparatus  needed. 
The  material  furnished  consisted  of  piping,  etc.,  for  outdoor  gymnasium 
work,  material  which  is  not  yet  placed. 

Domestic  Science  Work 

Under  the  auspices  of  this  Club,  the  Domestic  Science  work  for  girls 
was  introduced  into  the  city.  The  School  Board  gave  fifty  dollars,  a 
citizen  of  the  Township  gave  fifty  dollars,  and  the  mayor  of  the  city  gave 
a room  in  his  office  to  be  used  for  the  work.  A student  of  the  High  School 
taught  one  morning  a week  with  the  help  of  one  of  the  women  from  the 
Club.  The  School  Board  paid  the  teacher  and  furnished  the  supplies. 
The  result  is  that  Domestic  Science  is  to  be  established  in  the  new  school 
building.  The  School  Board  paid  the  entire  bill  for  the  Domestic  Science 
apparatus,  and  the  private  donation  above  mentioned  has  been  left  to 
apply  on  the  work  of  the  present  year. 

The  Sewing  School  of  Oglesby  had  been  carried  on  by  the  Women’s 
Club  on  Saturday  afternoons  for  two  years,  1912-1913,  1913-1914.  It 
was  then  merged  into  the  regular  Domestic  Science  work  above  men- 
tioned, and  doubtless  also  led  to  the  introduction  of  Manual  Training 
work  in  the  Oglesby  schools.  Assistance  has  been  given  also  in  the 
school  library  work  and  other  civic  undertakings.  Through  the  influ- 
ence of  the  Club,  music  has  just  been  introduced  into  the  schools.  The 
Women’s  Club  of  Oglesby  is  fortunate  in  having  had  the  enterprises  it 
inaugurated  taken  over  by  the  authorities  and  incorporated  into  the 
regular  work  of  the  schools  and  the  municipal  institutions.  This  is  the 
true  function  of  volunteer  organizations. 

Oglesby  Social  Center  Annex 

The  new  school  building  of  Oglesby,  thanks  to  the  progressive  spirit 
and  attitude  of  the  Board  of  Education  and  the  leading  citizens  of  this 
rapidly  growing  town,  will  contain  a Social  Center  Annex  of  some  preten- 
sions. The  class  rooms  will  be  used  for  recreation  rooms,  meeting  rooms, 
and  club  rooms  and  a large  room  in  the  basement  has  been  so  constructed 
as  to  serve  the  double  purpose  of  a gymnasium  and  auditorium.  While 
the  Social  Center  Annex  is  not  connected  with  the  Women’s  Club,  it  may 
be  appropriately  mentioned  in  this  connection  as  one  of  the  new  expres- 
sions of  Oglesby’s  civic  activity. 


The  Industrial  Schools 


Peru  Industrial  School 


President  . 

Vice  President  . 
Secretary 

Assistant  Secretary 
Treasurer  . 
Assistant  Treasurer 


Mrs.  R.  F.  Struever 
Mr.  James  R.  Hart 
. Mrs.  0.  C.  Yoder 
Mrs.  George  Neureuther 
Mrs.  Emma  Zimmermann 
Mrs.  Louise  Loeckle 


In  1905  a number  of  Peru  ladies  established  a sewing  school  in  that 
city  for  the  training  of  the  younger  girls  in  practical  hand  work,  and 


named  it  the  Peru  Industrial  Association.  The  members  met  at  the 
home  of  Mrs.  C.  B.  Lihrne  and  each  pledged  herself  to  contribute  $1.00 
a year  to  the  support  of  the  organization.  An  interesting  feature  of  the 
financing  of  the  Association  was  the  requirement  that  each  pupil  entering 
the  school  should  pay  a penny  a week  for  the  lesson  that  was  given  on 
Saturday ; later  it  was  found  expedient  to  raise  the  charges  of  pupils  to 
two  cents  a week  for  the  beginners  ’ class,  three  cents  a week  for  the  sec- 
ond year  class,  and  five  cents  for  those  who  received  instruction  in  pat- 
tern drafting.  The  idea  at  the  basis  of  this  charge  is  that  children  prize 
lightly  that  which  costs  nothing.  The  pattern  drafting  is  conducted  un- 
der the  direction  of  a trained  teacher. 

The  growth  of  the  work  was  rapid  and  the  attendance  increased  to  the 
satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  The  elementary  course  grew  into  more  in- 
tricate courses,  and  the  curriculum  ultimately  took  on  an  ordinary  and 
systematic  shape.  At  the  end  of  the  course  diplomas  are  awarded  and 
credit  for  the  work  is  given  at  the  La  Salle-Peru  Township  High  School. 
The  average  attendance  each  Saturday  is  130  girls.  In  1908  there  were 
19  graduates,  and  since  then  the  Association  has  awarded  129  diplomas 
for  meritorious  work. 

Owing  to  the  success  of  the  work  of  the  girls,  a manual  training  de- 
partment was  established  in  the  Central  School  on  Saturdays  for  boys. 
Later  this  work  was  taken  up  by  the  Board  of  Education,  and  it  is  hoped 
that  it  will  be  subsequently  incorporated  in  the  regular  week-day  curri- 
culum of  the  schools. 

In  all  the  work  of  this  Association  the  women  of  the  city,  the  Board  of 
Education,  and  all  citizens,  both  young  and  old,  have  cooperated,  thus 
furnishing  a notable  example  of  community  unity  that  is  worthy  of 
emulation. 


The  Women’s  Industrial  Association  of  La  Salle 


President 
Vice  President 
Secretary 
Treasurer 
Principal 


Mrs.  Mary  Carus 
Mrs.  J.  E.  Malone 
. Mrs.  Frances  L.  Wilson 
. Miss  Eliza  Stuart 
Miss  Elizabeth  Kirkpatrick 


In  1900  the  Women’s  Industrial  Association  of  LaSalle  was  organ- 
ized with  about  thirty  members.  For  many  years  classes  in  sewing  for 
girls  under  a capable  instructress  were  held  on  Saturdays  in  the  rooms 
of  the  old  Library  and  later  in  the  Jefferson  School,  which  was  placed 
at  the  disposal  of  the  Association  by  the  local  Board  of  Education.  The 
school  was  supported  by  private  contributions  from  its  members  who 
subscribed  one  dollar  a year  for  the  purpose,  and  the  instruction  and 
materials  furnished, to  the  children  free.  There  are  now  250  pupils  in 
sewing,  taught  by  five  teachers  engaged  by  the  Board  of  Education  and 
by  two  engaged  by  the  Association.  At  the  start  there  were  only  45 
pupils.  No  fee  is  charged  for  tuition  or  materials  unless  the  latter  are 
for  the  making  of  clothes,  dresses,  etc.  On  the  granting  of  certificates  of 
proficiency  to  the  girls  public  meetings  with  exercises  and  sewing  ex- 
hibits were  held  in  Music  Hall,  the  Township  High  School  Domestic 
Science  department,  and  later  in  the  new  Jefferson  School  building.  On 
these  occasions,  speeches  are  made  by  people  from  both  home  and 


abroad  and  much  done  by  these  enthusiastic  meetings  to  stimulate  an  in- 
terest in  the  work,  an  interest  which  has  spread  to  many  other  places. 
In  1915  cooking  classes  on  Saturday  also  have  been  introduced  at  an  ex- 
pense of  $100. 

So  successful  was  the  work  with  the  girls  and  so  pleased  were  the 
parents  of  the  community  with  the  results,  that  in  1912  a proposition 
was  made  to  the  local  Board  of  Education  that  the  ladies  of  the  Indus- 
trial Association  would  purchase  benches  and  tools  for  boys  at  a cost  of 
$500,  providing  the  Board  of  Education  would  supply  the  rooms  and 
pay  the  salary  of  a teacher  for  one-half  day  Saturday.  The  experiment 
was  carried  to  a successful  conclusion  and  now  for  some  time  past  those 
boys  of  the  town  who  are  desirous  of  taking  advantage  of  this  instruc- 
tion meet  every  Saturday  morning  in  well-equipped  Manual  Training 
shops  in  the  new  Jefferson  School  building.  The  Manual  Training 
teacher  is  a member  of  the  Township  High  School  faculty,  as  is  likewise 
the  teacher  who  has  charge  of  the  Manual  Training  work  in  Oglesby  and 
Peru.  As  the  movement  grows,  it  is  believed  that  in  time  a special 
teacher  of  Manual  Training  for  the  grade  schools  of  the  Tri-Cities  will 
be  engaged  who  can  conduct  his  work  on  week  days  and  have  a definite 
place  in  the  regular  daily  program  of  study. 

The  object  of  the  Women’s  Industrial  Association  is  to  enable  par- 
ticularly those  who  will  not  have  the  benefits  of  a high  school  education 
to  gain  better  and  higher  ideals  and  instruction  in  the  managing  and 
caring  of  their  future  homes. 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  the  attendance  is  limited  to  Saturday  and  is 
entirely  voluntary  the  response  on  the  part  of  the  children  has  been  re- 
markable. The  average  daily  attendance  runs  over  225  throughout  the 
year.  The  Association  is  anxious  to  increase  its  membership  so  that  it 
may  be  better  able  to  extend  its  work. 


The  Child  Welfare  Leagues 

La  Salle  County  Child  Welfare  League 

A.  T.  Lardin  .........  President 

L.  J.  Horan Secretary 

The  La  Salle  County  Child  Welfare  League  was  organized  something 
over  a year  ago.  The  purpose  is  to  promote  the  welfare  and  aid  in  the 
disposition  of  dependent,  neglected,  and  delinquent  children  and  those 
in  danger  of  becoming  such.  Mrs.  George  P.  Blow  and  Mrs.  John  F. 
Noonan  of  La  Salle  and  Mrs.  A.  H.  Hatton  of  Peru  are  members  of  the 
Executive  Board.  Judge  A.  T.  Lardin  of  Ottawa  is  president,  and  L.  J. 
Horan  of  Ottawa,  secretary. 

The  Tri-City  Associated  Charities  and  the  following  La  Salle  organi- 
zations are  affiliated  with  the  League : La  Salle  Lodge  No.  584  B.  P.  0. 
Elks;  Women’s  Bureau;  Marquette  Camp  No.  775  R.  N.  A.;  La  Salle 
Commercial  Association;  The  Women’s  Relief  Corps  No.  286;  St.  Paul’s 
Guild  of  St.  Paul’s  Mission. 

The  new  County  Detention  Home  and  Training  School  is  one  of  the 
results  of  the  League ’s  activity.  The  education  of  parents,  the  improve- 


ment  of  morals  in  the  home  and  the  finding  of  homes  for  the  homeless 
are  among  the  ambitions  of  the  League. 

The  Peru  Child  Welfare  League 

The  Pern  Child-Welfare  Leagne  which  cooperates  and  affiliates  with 
the  La  Salle  Connty  Leagne,  was  organized  to  promote  the  welfare  and 
happiness  of  helpless,  neglected  or  delinquent  children,  and  the  physical 
and  moral  health  of  the  unguarded  youth  of  our  city. 

The  organization  desires  especially  to  throw  such  guards  around  the 
children  of  Peru,  that  it  will  not  be  found  necessary  to  send  them  to 
Homes  for  Correction  or  Homes  for  Delinquents.  ‘ ‘ Proper  care  for  de- 
pendent, neglected  and  delinquent  children  will  tend  to  reduce  pauper- 
ism, insanity  and  crime ; improve  health  and  morals  and  better  the  man- 
hood, womanhood  and  citizenship  of  the  city.  It  is  easier  to  guide  the 
child  than  reform  the  man  or  woman.  ’ ’ 

The  Peru  Child- Welfare  League  works  through  an  executive  commit- 
tee which  meets  once  a month.  Mrs.  John  D.  Cahill  is  president,  and 
Mrs.  James  R.  Hart,  secretary. 


Miscellaneous 

Welfare  Work  in  the  Industries 

A movement  in  the  Tri- Cities  which  has  already  been  in  many  ways 
a flattering  success  and  which  promises  through  extension  to  have  un- 
limited influence  and  educational  effects  in  the  future,  has  been  the  es- 
tablishment of  a welfare  department  in  the  Western  Clock  Works  of 
Peru,  Illinois,  a flourishing  institution  which  employs  some  1300  people. 
This  department  is  in  charge  of  a trained  social  worker,  nurse,  and  as- 
sistants, and  while  in  the  beginning  its  activities  were  motivated  by 
“safety-first”  considerations,  “first  aid  to  the  injured”  and  the  physical 
care  of  its  employees,  its  influence  under  able  management  has  been  ex- 
tended to  the  social  and  ethical  features  of  both  the  individual  and  the 
collective  life  of  the  factory,  and  the  beginnings  thus  established  of  a 
movement  which  in  future  years  is  possibly  destined  to  have  more  far- 
reaching  educational  results  in  this  country  than  the  activity  of  any 
other  single  agency.  If  the  weight  and  influence  of  the  great  factories 
which  control  the  sources  of  the  means  of  existence,  could  be  thrown 
into  the  ethical  and  social  scale,  their  effects  would  probably  he  greater 
for  civic  education  than  the  combined  formal  activities  of  the  schools. 

La  Salle  Anti-Tuberculosis  Society 

La  Salle,  Illinois 

W.  T.  Bedford,  president;  Miss  Effie  Doan,  secretary 

Objects:  To  promote  the  knowledge  of  health  measures  tending  to 
eradicate  tuberculosis  and  to  assist  in  the  enforcement  of  laws  relating 
to  public  health.  Employs  a community  nurse,  Mrs.  Minnie  Pearl 
Guynes.  Affiliated  with  the  Illinois  State  Association  for  the  Preven- 
tion of  Tuberculosis. 


THE  TORCH  PRESS 
CEDAR  RAPIDS 
IOWA 


2 072455121 


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